The Canon Elura packs a bevy of features into a small, lightweight package. In addition to offering a number of automatic and semiautomatic exposure modes, it allows for more creative or unusual shots by allowing manual control of focus, exposure, white balance, and shutter speed. Canon's optical image stabilization feature works well in conjunction with the flip-out LCD screen to allow shooting while walking or panning--without the familiar bounce and jiggle.
The LCD screen rotates 270 degrees, making it useful for the full range of camera motion. The screen also flips forward to allow for unmanned operation or to let the subjects see what's being recorded. Because it offers a color viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen, the Elura is very flexible. Its upright packaging takes some getting used to. In addition, the camera is geared to right-handed people, so lefties may have a tough time adjusting to the Elura; however, we became accustomed to it quickly.
The Elura offers seven autoexposure settings, including one low-light setting. While Canon recommends a minimum of 100 lux to operate the camera's normal modes, we found that the Elura performed well even in dim light. The low-light setting allowed the camera to operate at minimal light levels, with the expected degradation of picture quality. One remarkable thing about the Elura was its ability to focus quickly and accurately at extreme close range: the specifications say 3/8 inch, but we found that, with good lighting, it could get even closer than that without typical autofocus hunting.
The progressive scan CCD allows the Elura to offer an additional, progressive scan mode. This eliminates the flickering associated with interlaced NTSC signals and allows for higher image quality, especially on pans over high-contrast areas.
The Elura's digital effects are comparable to other cameras in its price range. One nice feature is that you can apply the digital effects during playback and keep the original recording clean. The Elura also offers a widescreen 16:9 mode, which adjusts the viewfinders to give an accurate representation of what playback on a 16:9 monitor will look like.
The Elura comes with a built-in stereo condenser microphone, and a jack allowing for a separate microphone. While there's no mount for an external light, the Elura does have a tripod mount.
This camcorder uses the MiniDV format, which lets you record digital video on an ultracompact tape. Digital video gives you extraordinary video and sound quality. The digital format allows you to take digital still pictures, just like a digital camera. If you want to download and edit your digital still images and video on a computer, however, you have to purchase a separate IEEE 1394 (Firewire) video capture card.
Pros:
- Progressive scan CCD
- Very lightweight
- Still photo capability
- High-quality digital format
- Color viewfinder
- Optical image stabilization
Cons:
- Smallish 2.5-inch display
- Somewhat awkward grip
Product Description:
The Elura's 12X Optical/ 48X Digital Zoom lens brings details too distant to be seen by the naked eye into clear focus. Created to fit in the palm of your hand, the Elura lets you capture and combine high-resolution video and still photos onto Mini DV videocassettes. Its 2.5" rotating view screen is perfect for capturing almost any conceivable angle or for immediate playback viewing. The Elura's three shooting modes accommodate any of your needs. Besides, the Elura uses a Progressive Scan CCD image sensor that delivers a significant improvement in performance and image quality. Each and every light gathering pixel on the CCD is used to produce a full frame video image 60 times per second. Recordings of subjects moving at high speed can be viewed on a television with superior resolution. The CCD integrates an RGB Primary Color Filter which separates light passing through the lens into individual red, green and blue color components, similar to professional camcorders. The Elura utilizes the finest method of image stabilization available. It also offers 16-bit and 12-bit audio modes, and is equipped with a DV IN/OUT terminal that conforms to IEEE 1394. In addition to being fully automatic, the Elura offers a complete range of manual controls.
Canon Elura Digital Camcorder